My wife has just started her 2nd course of this chemo but she is finding it very tough. She has developed large blisters on her feet and her hands are very sore and red, the skin on her thumb has peeled off down to the 3rd or 4th layer.
Does anyone out there have any solutions, apart from moisturiser?
Hi rmat01
I’m sorry to hear that your wife is having such a rough time with Capecitabine. I’m on my 7th cycle of Capecitabine but haven’t yet had the hand and foot syndrome, apart from hard skin and some sharp tingling. I use the Udderly Smooth moisturiser because I’d read that it contains lactic acid which specifically helps with this syndrome, however we all react differently and I can’t say whether it would work for your wife. I was looking at their website yesterday and saw that they have a new forumlation with urea for severe cases which may be worth a try.
My oncologist also prescribed pyrodoxine (vitamin B6)from the start to help minimise this side effect and I take this three times a day, even during the week off. I have also read about topical henna as a remedy - if you google search xeloda side effects you will see Monique Doyle Spencer’s blog about this remedy which she used with great success. I have seen a medical study in Turkey about this rememdy and the results were very positive. Your wife’s oncologist could also lower her dosage.
I’m sure others will be on soon and share their tips.
Best of luck.
x
Hi mat01
I’m also sorry to hear that your wife is struggling with capecitabine side effects. I’ve been on it for over five years, most of this time on a relatively low dose (1000mg x twice a day). You didn’t mention what dose your wife is on – higher doses usually mean more challenging side effects – but I think Ripley’s covered all the recommendations on dealing with the hand/foot problems: creams, Vit B6, dose reduction. Just wanted to add that a nurse advised me to change creams from time to time, as our skin gets used to each one after a while.
This drug has worked really well for me – has kept my liver mets stable for over five years – and I hope it does the same for your wife.
Marilyn x
Hi mat01
I am another one who has done very well on capecitebine but also has struggled with the side effects frequently, so sympathise hugely with your wife. SOre feet and hands are miserable and so difficult to forget as it were cos you are using them all the time (or trying to use them!).
I do take pyrodoxine every day and use a variety of creams including udderly smooth. What has helped me most is actually wearing cotton socks at night with cream just smothered onto the foot. My onc certainly doesn’t seem to think there are better things out there then udderly smooth etc.
Lie Marilf I am now on a lowish dose (1150mg x daily) and that has helped a lot though my hands and feet are still sore. I’ve been on capecitebine for nearly a year and started on a highish dose (2000mg x 2) but gradually reduced as the side effects have kicked in and also it has shrunk my tumours. Have been NED (no evidence of disease on scan) since Sept last year despite having multiple clusters of tumours in my liver previosuly.
Would suggest also ringing the onc dept and seeing whether they think she should delay taking any more for a few days to give her feet the chance to heal a bit. I’ve learnt the hard way that there are many pairs of shoes that I can no longer wear - in some my feet blister almost immediately but there are others that I seem to be able to walk almost indefinitely in (my walking boots for instance! Not sure work would appreciate me turning up in them though!).
Hope she can get it sorted. K x
There’s not much to add to the good advice already given. As well as reducing the dose, I am on a 4 weekly cycle rather than three, as this gives my feet a bit more time to heal before the next dose. Also I wear special socks. They are the sort recommended for runners, they are quite expensive (£11 per pair), but good quality and they are designed to help minimise blistering, as they are reinforced at the heel and toe and have minimal seaming. Also I do tend to wear my walking boots most of the time! When I am out and walking boots aren’t appropriate - I wear my normal shoes, but with foot protectors, the sort that are aimed at diabetic foot problems. Actually, a lot of the advice and products aimed at diabetics are also suitable for the hand foot syndrome. As you say we are all different, my feet are very bad, but my hands are fine, just a little dry!!
JOY
I have posted this on behalf of new user Sarah.
Regards Sam (BCC Facilitator)
I was diagnosied with secondary breast cancer (bones) in January 2008. Initially diagnosed in Jan 06. Had radiotherapy Jan 08 to ease pain in bones which has been fantastic and completely got rid of pain.
Have been on hormone treatment for 14 months but they do not appear to be working - am seeing my onc on Tuesday and it is likely I will be prescribed Xeloda. I had no side affects when on my first lot of chemo in 2006 and my nurse says that Xeloda is very well tolerated. I feel very well in my self - am I being unrealistic to think I will cope with Xeloda.
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
there seem to be quite a lot of people going on capecitabine at the moment. I am sure you will be able to follow some of the threads but I will give you my experience. Gosh I could hear the zzzzzzz’s through the web waves!
I was diagnosed with secs May 2004 in liver and bones did 6x fec which worked better than onc believed possible. I went on an ayurvedic remedy and became a veggie took all acid from my diet. It was really hard work but I had 18 months without treatment and a scan showed lots more growth to my liver my lovely onc gave me the choice taxol or cap. Purely down to vanity I chose cap. Two lots of 2300m.g were taken each day half an hour before breakfast and dinner each day, I noticed my feet were getting really dry and then they blistered this was cured by wearing crocs, and my husband Ian rubbing e45 cream into my feet each evening. The results were good and I stayed on it for two years before my little uggers had worked out how to outdo it.
Others on the forum have had good results, others not so good. It is like everything else we are all different. For me it was good I tolerated it better than others and was able to travel and stayed active.
Good luck and keep us posted. If I can be of any more use let me know.
Love Debsxxx
Hello again! Some good news at last and some ok news.
Ok news first. My wife was on 2000mg so they took her off the chemo for a few weeks to let her body recover. They reduced her dose to 1600mg, she still had some small blisters but not as bad as the first lot. They have since reduced her dosage to 1500mg, she is nearing the end of her 4th course and no sign of blisters, just very tired.
Now for the good news. Got the results of her scan, what we knew was in her lungs has all but disappeared!! We know the soft tissue and lump in her neck is still there but reducing in size. The onc is hopeful, so obviously so are we.
Good luck
Hi Matt,
that is good news, I am really pleased for her. When we have a good scan it makes it so worthwhile.
Love Debsxxx
Really pleased to hear this news - both the scan and the fact that your wife is having fewer side effects and the feet are improving. Long may it last!
Kay x
Thanks for the update, Matt. Really pleased to hear that the reduced dose is working its magic & is more tolerable for her. Long may it continue!
x